Broberg vs Bouchard

[GOilers88]

Can we not start the Bouchard vs Broberg thing. I feel like one JP is traded, this has the ability to be the new thing. Both guys are Oilers.

Brochard is gonna be a thing.

I really wanna see how Broberg handles shit when he plays against real good teams

That's fair too. But Vegas and Seattle are both solid teams this year. Either way, people are always quick to annoint guys after good rookie seasons then bury them during a sophomore slump when really I think you need to give it the third season to really tell either way.

 

[GhostfaceWu]

Our offence is driven through McDavid. We need defenders and I take a well rounded D like what Broberg is developing into over a mistake prone offensive D that has trouble sensing danger in his own end and when he does he’s a little too casual about addressing it.

McDavid doesn't play 60 minutes a game you need offensive dmen that can help the other 3 lines 5 on 5.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

The correct answer to this question is "neither".

 

[Dorian2]

They seem to have complimentary styles of play. Considering that they're still under 2 full seasons combined as NHLers, neither is near fully developed, and they both appear to be playing solid hockey, I'd say the thread is a bit premature at this point. They both look like they're growing into their positions pretty well.

 

[McSuper]

The poll asks "Who is the better defenseman"

The text asks "If you were the GM of the Oilers who would you trade if you had to trade 1"

Are you assuming we trade the better defenseman?

Nevertheless, I'd keep Broberg as Barrie and Bouchard are interchangeable atm.

As the OP its not that simple. Broberg may become the better defence man but Bouchard may fill a bigger need down the road. As of today I think Boberg is the better player but with an aging Barrie it would be hard to trade Bouchard.

 

[Mr Positive]

Bouchard!

He's shown more warts, but probably because he's been around longer. I still view him as our go-to OFD once Barrie's deal is done.

Broberg seems to be trending to be a rock solid top 4 D. Maybe even top pairing. But, it's just too small a sample for me

 

[tiger_80]

I think one of them gets traded for sure in the off-season. I like Broberg more because of his size and skating ability. He'll play big minutes. Bouchard may be a bigger, slightly better Barrie when all said and done.

 

[LTIR]

Hopefully Broberg -Bouchard establish themselves as a solid 3rd pairing this season, 2nd pairing next season and top pairing afterwards.

There is no reason to trade either one of them at this point with many other trade chips available.

I think one of them gets traded for sure in the off-season. I like Broberg more because of his size and skating ability. He'll play big minutes. Bouchard may be a bigger, slightly better Barrie when all said and done.

Why would one get traded? We are not married to Ceci, Kulak or Barrie long term. Bro-Bouch is the future.

 

[JustNapalmIt]

The correct answer to this question is "neither".

Yes. Cause we all know that d-men hit their peak at 22.
Keeep em comin.

 

[TFHockey]

I don't think Holland is likely to deal either player. That might kill any deal that would allow the Oilers to acquire the defensive help they need, but I think this is the reality we find ourselves in.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Yes. Cause we all know that d-men hit their peak at 22.
Keeep em comin.

Do you lack reading comprehension capabilities or something? The question the OP states is "who would you trade", me saying "the answer is neither" means I don't want to trade Bouchard nor Broberg.

 

[McDoused]

Bump.

Just trying to prove the revisionist history of how close Bouchard and Broberg was. There was a time before the deadline where Broberg wasnt that far behind Bouch.

 

[MessierII]

Bump.

Just trying to prove the revisionist history of how close Bouchard and Broberg was. There was a time before the deadline where Broberg wasnt that far behind Bouch.

Only by weirdos. Bouchard has been a better prospect from day one.

 

[McDNicks17]

It doesn't help that the OP's question and the poll question are different haha.

OP: Who would you trade?
Poll: Who is the better defenseman?

 

[Fourier]

Bump.

Just trying to prove the revisionist history of how close Bouchard and Broberg was. There was a time before the deadline where Broberg wasnt that far behind Bouch.

The closeness of this poll is not surprising. At the time Bouchard had struggled a bit and this board tends to swing wildly depending on a player's most recent play.

 

[bobbythebrain]

The correct answer to this question is "neither".

Bouchard 2x 40 point seasons. Another bad take

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Bouchard has the rarer skillset.

 

[McDoused]

My hope is that Broberg can take big steps this year, the same way Bouchard did when we got Keith.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

My hope is that Broberg can take big steps this year, the same way Bouchard did when we got Keith.

That would be ideal. I just hope that it isn't at the expense of Bouchard because Nurse continues to decide to be a rover. If Broberg can't at least be better than Kulak by season's end I would move him.

 

[Tarus]

My hope is that Broberg can take big steps this year, the same way Bouchard did when we got Keith.

Bouchard showed upper level NHL abilities pretty much from the second he got here. He got blocked by the Oilers wasting time with Ethan Bear, but once space was made in the roster, he ran with it. It didn't really have much to do with Keith either, they didn't play much with each other until the Ceci/Nurse pairing was put together later in the season after Woodcroft took over.

Broberg by comparison is getting opportunities, but has struggled to take advantage. He doesn't have the overt offensive skill that Bouchard does, and his path to being a top 4 defensemen(if he ever gets there) will be longer by necessity.

 

[TheNumber4]

This poll was taken when we were in panic mode that Bouch Bombs had disappeared wasn’t it?

 

[SK13]

Broberg is a utility guy, probably more likely to make it on a bottom pair or as the also-ran on a second pairing if things go his way.

Evan Bouchard might legitimately score 70 points this year.

It's not a "thing". If Bouchard is ever moved from the Oilers, it will be because they can not afford to extend him after what's about to happen now that he has unencumbered top-unit PP time and a stabilizing partner in Ekholm.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Bouchard 2x 40 point seasons. Another bad take

Is replying "neither" to a question of who would you rather trade a bad take, or bad reading comprehension on your part.

 

[tiger_80]

Simple poll . If you were the GM of the Oilers who would you trade if you had to trade 1.

Brochard will be a point producing machine at his peek
Broberg will be a great skating 2 way defender

I don't know what Brochard stands for in French. But to win is Gagner!

Broberg is a utility guy, probably more likely to make it on a bottom pair or as the also-ran on a second pairing if things go his way.

Evan Bouchard might legitimately score 70 points this year.

It's not a "thing". If Bouchard is ever moved from the Oilers, it will be because they can not afford to extend him after what's about to happen now that he has unencumbered top-unit PP time and a stabilizing partner in Ekholm.

I see Broberg, if they give him opportunities, develop into a solid all-around defenseman. 20 mins, 30 points. Bouhchard on this OIlers is already an elite point producer. Will probably get close to 80 points playing the PP.

 

[Mr Positive]

That would be ideal. I just hope that it isn't at the expense of Bouchard because Nurse continues to decide to be a rover. If Broberg can't at least be better than Kulak by season's end I would move him.

I still say we need to keep Broberg unless we get a young controlled Dman in return.

I'm imagining this team June 2025. Broberg will be 24. Bouchard 25. Nurse 30. Ekholm 35. McDavid will be eligible to re-sign. If Broberg hits his potential ceiling he will be an exciting reason for McDavid to stay on the team, destined to take over Ekholm's spot as he starts to show his age.

I'd keep Broberg even if he doesn't do the best this year. Sometimes Dmen take until they are 24-25 even, and that doesn't mean that their ceiling is lowered either. His realistic potential is top 4, but he definitely has some decent odds at being a good top pairing guy too.

We are never going to get a D prosepct as good as Broberg again in the McDavid era. It's worth it to give Broberg every roll of the dice we can to be sure.

Besides, it's not like some outside organization will give close to the value we got for him. They don't know him.